Dispensing rack

ABSTRACT

A dispensing rack for wire or other elongated, flexible materials housed on and dispensed from spools or spool type structures including two side wall portions and a ttray extending between the two side wall portions for supporting the spools. The tray and two side wall portions forming an access opening to accommodate direct insertion and removal of the spools from the tray without manipulation of any portion of the dispensing rack. The tray includes at least one bottom portion and at least one top portion. The top portion of the tray includes a plurality of slots to direct the dispensing of the elongated, flexible materials from the spools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to a dispensing rack for dispensing wire and similar elongated, flexible materials from conventional spools or spool type structures and, more specifically, to a dispensing rack capable of dispensing such elongated, flexible materials from spools which may be maintained within the rack without the need for a separate axle or restraining member, where the spools can be readily inserted into and removed from the dispensing rack.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] Various devices for dispensing wire and similar flexible materials from conventional spools or spool type structures are known in the art. For instance, Walsh, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,610, discloses a portable wire dispenser for holding one of more spools or electrical wire or cable. The dispenser includes a housing having first and second side walls, a support member associated with the first and second side walls for holding a spool of wire, and a rotatable member associated with the first and second side walls for retaining the wire spool on the support member while the spool is rotating to dispense wire. One disadvantage of such a device, however, is that the user cannot remove spools from such a dispenser without first repositioning the rotatable retaining member, to permit the spools to be removed. A further disadvantage is the fact that such a device will not function properly with spools of differing diameters, as the rotatable member will engage only the largest spool(s), thereby leaving any smaller spool(s) subject to free spinning, where the spools continue to rotate after the user has ceased pulling wire therefrom, causing excess lengths of wire to come off of the spool—thus becoming susceptible to tangling with wire from other spools or with other items nearby.

[0008] Another such prior art device is discussed by Dimitri, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,280, which discloses a hand carried wire spool rack, including a frame having a pair of horizontally extending parallel members for rotatably supporting at least one removable wire spool and an upper member secured to the frame and extending parallel with one of the parallel members. The wire spool is positionable in a first position in rotatable supported engagement with the pair of parallel members, and is movable to a second position in rotatable supported engagement with one of the parallel members and the upper member when a dispensing force is exerted on the spool. One disadvantage of such a device, however, is that it is only adapted for use with one particular size of spool, and is simply not capable of accommodating spools of differing diameters. A further disadvantage is the fact that such a device does not direct the wire as it leaves the spool, thus subjecting the spools to being displaced or even tipped over within the rack by lateral forces exerted on the wire.

[0009] Yet another such prior art device is disclosed by Radaios, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,451, which discloses a wire spool dispenser including a central rod through which wire spools are inserted, a semi-circular cradle positioned below the wire spools, and a pair of end walls supporting the cradle. The end walls further include channels to permit rotation of the cradle relative to the end walls. The cradle includes one or more slots for the passage and dispensing of wire. One disadvantage of such a device, however, is that replacement of a single spool requires that the user completely remove the central rod from the end walls, along with any intervening spools situated between the spool being removed and the nearest end wall. As a result of this design, removal of spools from such a device is extremely time-consuming and cumbersome. A further disadvantage of such a device is the fact that extra wire which comes unwound from a spool is likely to become wound around the central rod itself, thereby causing the rod to bind. In this case, the user must stop working in order to manually untangle the wire from the rod in order to return the device to its proper working condition. In addition, such a device is not suitable for use with broken or cracked spools, due to the tendency of wire to come off of the reel and wind around the axle.

[0010] It would therefore be desirable to provide a dispensing rack which allows the user to remove and replace spools without having to remove or reposition any of the structural parts of the dispensing rack, such as an axle running through the center of the spools, to permit the user to replace empty spools quickly and easily.

[0011] It would also be desirable to provide a dispensing rack which is suitable for simultaneous use with spools of differing diameters, which rack is able to prevent free spinning thereof, to prevent undesirable tangling of excess wire which has been dispensed from the spools. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a dispensing rack which is suitable for use with broken and cracked spools.

[0012] It would further be desirable to provide a dispensing rack which specifically directs the wire as it is pulled from the spool, so that the spools are not subject to undesired displacement and/or tipping within the rack resulting from lateral forces being exerted on the wire.

[0013] It may also be desirable to provide a dispensing rack which includes dividers for maintaining spools in particular locations within the tray, to prevent undesired lateral movement of the spools within the tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is directed to a dispensing rack for the dispensing of elongated, flexible materials from spools. The dispensing rack comprises two side wall portions and a tray extending between the two side wall portions for supporting at least one spool. The tray and two side wall portions form an access opening to accommodate direct insertion and removal of at least one spool from the tray without manipulation of any portion of the dispensing rack. The tray includes at least one bottom portion and at least one top portion. The at least one top portion includes a plurality of slots therein to direct the dispensing of the elongated, flexible materials from the at least one spool.

[0015] The tray may also include a seat for operably receiving the spools. In particular, the tray may further include at least two downwardly sloping portions which converge proximate the bottom of the tray for operably retaining the at least one spool within the tray at least partially by the force of gravity. The tray is preferably at least partially tilted backward to maintain the spools in the tray by the force of gravity.

[0016] The tray may include at least one inwardly projecting member associated with the bottom portion thereof, which inwardly projecting member is offset from the remainder of the bottom portion. Likewise, the invention may include another inwardly projecting member associated with the top portion thereof, which projecting member is offset from the remainder of the top portion. Each of the inwardly projecting members may extend along the entire length of the tray, or may likewise be positioned at set intervals.

[0017] The tray may further include at least one divider for maintaining the spools in a desired position within the tray. The at least one divider may comprise at least one projecting member associated with at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the tray.

[0018] The two side wall portions of the dispensing rack may include openings for manipulating the dispensing rack.

[0019] The dispensing rack according to the invention may also include a handle portion, which may include a hook member for hanging the dispensing rack. The dispensing rack according to the invention may further include at least one foot member and/or a base member including a plurality of support members, for maintaining the dispensing rack in a stable orientation.

[0020] Moreover, the dispensing rack according to the invention may include a plurality of wheels for permitting movement of the dispensing rack on a flat surface. At least some of the wheels may include locking members for preventing movement of the dispensing rack.

[0021] In the dispensing rack according to the invention, the spools are maintained within the tray at least partially by both the force of gravity and by centrifugal force exerted on the spools as a result of the rotation thereof during the dispensing of wire or other elongated flexible materials from the spools.

[0022] The dispensing rack may be of unitary construction, or alternatively may be assembled from a plurality of individual components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a dispensing rack according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a rear top perspective view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of spools seated therewithin;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1, showing an alternate arrangement of spools therein,

[0031]FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1, showing yet another alternate arrangement of spools therein,

[0032]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the dispensing rack of FIG. 1, showing yet another alternate arrangement of spools therein; and

[0033]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the dispensing rack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present embodiments are to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0035] A wire dispensing rack 10 according to the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 as comprising tray 11, first side wall 16, second side wall 18, handle portion 20, foot portion 22 and base member 26. At the outset, dispensing rack 10 may be formed from a single molded piece of plastic or other similar material, or likewise may alternatively be assembled from a number of individual parts, joined together by any conventional means as would be know by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them. Plastic is advantageous as it is light for carrying purposes, and relatively durable. However, the dispensing rack may constructed from other alternative materials such as wood, metal or other preferred materials, depending on the specific preference of the user and the specific requirements of the job or job site.

[0036] As is shown in FIGS. 1-10, tray 11 comprises a generally semi-circular member including bottom portion 12, top portion 14 and seat 28. Tray 11 may also take on any desired non-semi-circular shape which is adapted to hold conventional spools containing elongated, flexible materials, including but not limited to electrical wire, coaxial cable, rope, chain, etc., for dispensing therefrom. Notably, the present invention will be shown and described in reference to the dispensing of electrical wire from round spools. However, all references to “wire” in this application are intended to encompass any such elongated, flexible material which are typically sold or stored on spools, as would be known by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[0037] Seat 28 is shaped so that conventional wire spools, having a central hub portion and two outer disk portions, are capable of being maintained within wire dispensing rack 10 at least partially by force of gravity. As can be seen best from FIGS. 1-3, seat 28 has a semi-circular shape corresponding to that of tray 11. Notably, the seat includes two downwardly sloping portions, one sloping from the back of the dispensing rack to the bottom of the dispensing rack, and the other sloping from the front of the dispensing rack to the bottom of the dispensing rack, which converge at the lowest point in the tray. The converging location provides a natural resting location for the spools, as gravity helps maintain the spools in the tray.

[0038] However, seat 28 may take other shapes as desired. For instance, the seat may be V-shaped, L-shaped (i.e. a backing piece and a bottom piece connected at a right angle), hexagonally shaped, octagonally shaped or any other shape as would be know by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them which would allow the spools to rotate within tray 11 when wire or other elongated flexible material is pulled from the spools. Spools 40 having a conventional construction are shown in FIGS. 7-10 seated within tray 11 in varying arrangements. As can be seen therefrom, dispensing rack 10 is capable of holding differing numbers and sizes of spools 40. Likewise, dispensing rack 10 may hold spools of varying sizes as well, to accommodate any combination of spools.

[0039] As is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-10, bottom portion 12 of tray 11 includes inwardly projecting member 13, while top portion 14 of tray 11 includes inwardly projecting member 15. Inwardly projecting members 13 and 15 are positioned along the substantial entirely of the length of dispensing rack 10 so as to prevent edges 41 of spools 40 from contacting seat 28 directly. Rather than contact a large surface area of seat 28 and/or other portions of tray 11, edges 41 of spools 40 preferably contact only inwardly projecting members 13 and 15. As a result, the rotation of spools 40 generates less friction than would otherwise occur if edges 41 were in direct contact with larger portions or the entirety seat 28. As a result of this construction, less force is required to dispense wire from spools 40 than would otherwise be required to overcome the force of friction. To this end, while shown as rounded, semi-rounded and/or v-shaped bosses molded directly into tray 11 of wire dispensing rack 10, inwardly projecting members 13 and 15 can take any number of shapes and constructions to maintain a limited contact point with spools 40. Likewise, it is contemplated that either or both of inwardly projecting members 13 and 15 may span only a portion of the length of dispensing rack 10, such as to provide intervals on which the spools rest.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, tray 11 is joined at opposite ends to first side wall 16 and second side wall 18, which enclose either end of seat 28 to maintain spools 40 within tray 11. The tray and two side wall portions form an access opening to accommodate direct insertion and removal of spools 40 from tray 11 without manipulation of any portion of the dispensing rack. Further, first side wall 16 and second side wall 18 each include hand openings 17 and 19, respectively. Hand openings 17 and 19 allow the user of dispensing rack 10 to easily and securely grasp the dispensing rack 10 for carrying, lifting and other movement thereof.

[0041] Handle portion 20 extends upward from top portion 14 of tray 11, to permit grasping of dispensing rack 10 from above. Handle portion 20 also includes hook member 21, configured so as to permit a user to hang dispensing rack 10 from a ladder rung, scaffold, or other similar structure. Handle portion 20 and hook 21 may take any desired shape or configuration, depending on the particular environment for which use of dispensing rack 10 is intended, as would be known by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[0042] Foot member 22, shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7, extends outward from the front of lower portion 12 of tray 11, and extends along the entire length of tray 11. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the top of foot member 22 extends above the bottom of seat 28. As a result, foot member 22 further serves to maintain spool 40 in place, by tilting tray 11 backward at an angle and preventing spool 40 from rolling out of tray 11. In its angled orientation, gravity forces spools 40 back into seat 28 and thus assists in maintaining the spools in tray 11. Foot member also includes portions extending beyond the side portions 16 and 18 to provide additional stability. Base member 26 includes supports 27, which extend from the rear of tray 11 and provide further stability to dispensing rack 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3, base member 26 and foot member 22 have flat bottom surfaces, thereby facilitating the stable placement of dispensing rack 10 on a flat surface.

[0043] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4-10, top portion 14 of tray 11 also includes a plurality of slots 30, through which wire 31 is dispensed from spool 40, specifically shown in FIG. 3. Slots 30 are preferably 30 positioned in the top portion of dispensing rack 10 so as to facilitate dispensing of wire 31 from spool 40 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrow C. This rotation of spool 40 generates a centrifugal force on spool 40 which is directed toward seat 28, thereby further serving to maintain spool 40 within seat 28 while wire is being dispensed therefrom. In addition, slots 30 serve to guide wire 31 as it is being dispensed from spool 40, thereby preventing any lateral force from being exerted on spool 40, which might result in lateral displacement or tipping over of spool 40. Any sideways force exerted on wire 31 by the user is transferred to the side edge 32 of slot 30, rather than to spool 40. As a result, the user is free to pull wire 31 in any direction without the problem of displacing or tipping spool 40 within tray 11. The number, shape and arrangement of slots 30 within top portion 14 may be varied as desired. Furthermore, adjustable width slots may be provided if desired, by incorporating one or more sliding members within top portion 14 to selectively obstruct a portion of one or more slots 30 thereon, as would be known by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[0044] The design of the present invention overcomes a number of disadvantages of wire dispensing racks known in the prior art. For instance, the open configuration of tray 11 allows for the direct insertion and removal of spools 40, without the need to remove or otherwise displace an axle or other structure used to maintain spools in place within the tray. Moreover, the invention allows for the use of spools of varying sizes. Indeed, any spool which has a diameter smaller than the width of tray 11 is capable of being used with dispensing rack 10—even spools of relatively small diameter which do not engage inwardly projecting members 13 and 15. Moreover, dispensing rack 10 is not subject to the problem of free spinning associated with dispensing racks having a central axle, as the friction generated by the interaction between edges 41 of spools 40 and inwardly projecting members 13 and 15 and/or seat 28 will serve to halt the rotation of spools 40 after the user stops pulling on wire 31. Also, dispensing rack 10 avoids the problem of unwanted tipping or dislocation of spools 40 within tray 11 resulting from wire 31 being pulled in a sideways direction, by transferring the lateral forces acting on wire 31 to slot edge 32 rather than to spool 40. Finally, dispensing rack 10 is suitable for use with broken or cracked spools, which are simply not well suited for use with dispensing apparatuses having a central axle, due to the tendency of wire to come off of the spool and become tangled around the axle.

[0045] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11, which shows a dispensing rack 10′ of substantially similar design as dispensing rack 10 of FIG. 1, but further including wheels 24 and dividers 32. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a second set of wheels is also included directly behind those shown, in order to provide a stable base for dispensing rack 10′. Wheels 24 further include locking members 25, having a design and manner of operation well known in the art of wheeled articles, for restraining movement of wheels 24. In lieu of (or in addition to) wheels 24, dispensing rack 10′ may also include a means for attaching dispensing rack 10′ to a toolbox, workbench or other structure, for example clamps, magnetic feet, Velcro straps, or any other desired means of attachment.

[0046] Dividers 32 consist of upwardly projecting members within tray 11′, configured so as to prevent lateral motion of spools 40 within tray 11′. While dividers 32 are shown as being stationary, it is also contemplated that dividers may be provided which are slidable relative to tray 11′, to accommodate spools 40 of differing widths. For instance, laterally extending channels may be provided within tray 11′ to accommodate such sliding dividers therein. Such dividers may further include a spring loading mechanism or other means for locking the divider in place at a particular location, as would be known by those with ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[0047] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the pending claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art and having the present disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing rack for the dispensing of elongated, flexible materials from at least one spool, said dispensing rack comprising: two side wall portions; a tray extending between the two side wall portions for supporting the at least one spool, the tray and two side wall portions forming an access opening to accommodate direct insertion and removal of at least one spool from the tray without manipulation of any portion of the dispensing rack; the tray including at least one bottom portion and at least one top portion, the at least one top portion including a plurality of slots therein to direct the dispensing of the elongated, flexible materials from the at least one spool.
 2. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the tray further includes at least two downwardly sloping portions which converge proximate the bottom of the tray for operably retaining the at least one spool within the tray at least partially by the force of gravity.
 3. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the tray is at least partially tilted backward to maintain the at least one spool in the tray by the force of gravity.
 4. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the tray includes at least one inwardly projecting member spanning at least a portion of the length of the dispensing rack, the at least one inwardly projecting member being offset from the remainder of the bottom portion.
 5. The dispensing rack of claim 4 wherein the at least one inwardly projecting member extends substantially the entire length of the tray.
 6. The dispensing rack of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the tray includes at least one inwardly projecting member spanning at least a portion of the length of the dispensing rack, the at least one inwardly projecting member being offset from the remainder of the top portion.
 7. The dispensing rack of claim 6 wherein the at least one inwardly projecting member extends substantially the entire length of the tray.
 8. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the tray further includes at least one divider for maintaining the at least one spool in a desired position within the tray.
 9. The dispensing rack of claim 8 wherein the at least one divider comprises at least one projecting member associated with at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion.
 10. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the two side wall portions include openings for carrying or otherwise manipulating the dispensing rack.
 11. The dispensing rack of claim 1 further including a handle portion.
 12. The dispensing rack of claim 11 wherein the handle portion comprises a hook member for hanging the dispensing rack.
 13. The dispensing rack of claim 1 further including at least one foot member for maintaining the dispensing rack in a stable orientation.
 14. The dispensing rack of claim 1 further including a base member for maintaining the dispensing rack in a stable orientation.
 15. The dispensing rack of claim 14, wherein the base member further includes a plurality of support members.
 16. The dispensing rack of claim 1 further including a plurality of wheels for permitting slidable movement of the dispensing rack on a surface.
 17. The dispensing rack of claim 16 wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels includes a locking member for preventing inadvertent movement of the dispensing rack.
 18. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one spool is maintained within the tray at least partially by centrifugal force exerted on the at least one spool resulting from rotation of the spools as the elongated, flexible material is dispensed from at least one spool positioned in the dispensing rack.
 19. The dispensing rack of claim 1 wherein the dispensing rack is of unitary construction. 